Residents asked to gauge environment priorities

The Sustainable Janesville survey is posted on the city's website and will be available until Nov. 8. To take the survey, go to www.ci.janesville.wi.us. A link to the survey is on the city's home page.

Sustainable Janesville, a committee created by the council in 2008 to advance environmental issues, is sponsoring an online survey as the committee continues to identify its goals.

The council created the committee after designating Janesville an ecomunicipality.

The committee had a rocky start. Friction arose between some council members and even committee members as they grappled with the panel's mission.

Al Hulick, who until recently was the committee's city staff liaison, said the group's initial travails are understandable because, unlike other committees, Sustainable Janesville has no legislative edict or scope of services.

“So, it was kind of difficult to wade through that without that clear goal or objective,” Hulick said.

“When you are talking about a concept so nebulous as sustainability, it becomes very difficult.”

The committee has over the years worked toward defining its mission and has some major achievements, Hulick said.

“The group we have now is much more understanding of their place in the process,” Hulick said.

The committee, with the approval of the council, has:

--Developed the Recycling Away From Home program, now a part of the city's special events permitting process. Groups that receive permits from the city, such as the Rotary Club for its corn roast, must have recycling plans.

--Worked with staff on a green building resolution that requires all city public construction projects to follow energy conservation standards.